Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

  • Dominican Machete

Dominican Machete
Dominican
Captaincy General of Santo Domingo, Kingdom of Spain - Second Republic of the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic)
Last half 19th century (ca. 1860 - 1890)
Iron, horn, wood, leather
Blade: 67cm
Hilt & Blade: 83,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 88,3cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 396

An uncommon sword that has stirred much debate among collectors. Known as the "Berber backsword" from Morocco, it does look to be from the region, but in recent years, it has been attributed to the Spanish island of the Dominican Republic. It shares similarities to the Cuban "Guanabacoa" sword and the Morroccan nimcha saif.

The blade is modeled after the form of the British 1796 calvary sabers, possibly an old Spanish military blade with the tip reprofiled. There is a wide single fuller for 3/4 length of the blade. Hilt of layered horn scale grips fastened by six iron rivets. Hand knock with lanyard hole. Decorations of crosses and lines on the grip and spine. Wooden sheath covered in leather with a 90-degree protruding chape tied with leather braiding. Leather decorated in stamped geometrical linework and designs. An uncommon sword, with some insect damage to the horn hilt. Rare to have the original sheath, although with some stitching tears.

One example present in the Museo del Ejercito in Toledo, Spain, described as Dominican Republic, 1860 - 1864. Most seem to be from Cibao or Santo Domingo during the Dominican Restoration War Period, ending Spainish recolonization from the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo and restoring the Island’s sovereignty as an independent nation.